Lab Tests You Can Order (Without A Doctor)

For years, my own journey health to finally get a diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disease came to a halt because he could not find a doctor in my area who understood the thyroid disease and could not get a referral to a specialist unless I went through a doctor. I could not get no medical laboratory tests, and had no way to try to find answers to the problems I had (such as hair loss, sleep problems, fatigue, digestive problems and more).

Fortunately, this is an area of ​​medicine that is changing rapidly and at home lab tests may be ordered without health are increasingly available in many areas.

find ways to get laboratory testing

after going through eight doctors (OBs, general practitioners, etc.) that could find nothing clinically wrong with my thyroid, I am very happy finally be working with an amazing document that understands and specializes in thyroid health . He was able to finally diagnose my problems such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and provide a treatment plan that has helped solve my symptoms.

At the same time, I still remember vividly the frustration of not being able to obtain the evidence and help I need and I’m glad that some of the tests that were of great help to me are now available without order a doctor. with a doctor and also decreases the cost of most appointments. In addition, many of these tests were less expensive when I asked myself when I went through insurance for previous tests.

By way of example, once I asked my doctor to test vitamin D during one of my pregnancies, since low levels of vitamin D are linked to certain complications of pregnancy. Even with insurance, the test ended up costing more than $ 400 in a major laboratory companies.

By comparison, one of the companies that have used for laboratory tests without a doctor’s order offers 10 health tests (including vitamin D) for about $ 300. This same company offers panel thyroid occasionally need for under $ 50

These are the most useful laboratory tests that have been able to order a doctor. Of course, these tests are not made to replace the care of a physician, but can be a less expensive way to obtain or additional tests, especially for those without insurance or with insurance that will not cover certain tests. I have no affiliate or promotional relationships with any of these companies, but I’ve only used these tests myself on several occasions.

Laboratory tests can order (without doctor)

genetic DNA testing

Perhaps the most useful test I have asked for my health has been a DNA analysis through a company called 23 and I . This analysis provides an analysis of DNA extraction and explained what part of my DNA came from different populations around the world.

23andme.com results do not provide any information on health, but there are some other wonderful free or low cost websites that can help interpret data

this it is what I did :.

what I learned : the data I received from this test and the interpretation of other websites helped me understand that I was genetically predisposed to deficiency of vitamin B-12 along with some others. With my doctor, I found that the forms of these nutrients were better for me to complement and are now part of my daily regimen. The findings also help explain some of my other health problems and thyroid supplements and how to know that my body needs specifically.

now I have encouraged my family and many friends to take this test and recommend it often.

basic wellness tests: 10 most important evidence

often get basic laboratory tests required something like this: Call the doctors office and appointment schedule, go to an appointment and order laboratory tests, pay the co-payment for office visit, make an appointment for laboratory tests, obtain laboratory tests and to pay co-payment or total amount depending on deductible, make another appointment with the doctor to get results , get results and to pay co-pay again.

not only time consuming, but it can also be expensive in terms of insurance. Direct laboratories provides a set of 10 tests for $ 309, including:

what I learned : This test was extremely helpful when I started taking medications thyroid and had to retest my levels of frequency, while the amount I needed to take to normalize my blood was determined. I also found that my plate was slightly low and was able to correct this situation.

Again, I was working with a doctor to interpret the results of these tests, but I saved a lot of money by using an independent laboratory, since it is possible to order tests without doctor through this company.

blood sugar

this is a simple test that does not require a laboratory but many people do not even think about taking. It is possible and easy to measure blood sugar at home using a basic meter. This is the device that diabetics use to test blood sugar and many people are familiar with.

details Chris Kresser how in the home glucose monitoring can be a way to protect against heart disease and diabetes (as well as a good sign early warning).

personally, I can check my blood sugar in the blood over a period of a week at two separate times during pregnancy and save it for my doc / midwife to check. I take my blood glucose levels four times a day and unprecedented. I also just do this at random intervals every few months to keep an eye on what my blood sugar is doing normally

According to Kresser, levels should be :.

Fasting plasma glucose (early morning) of 86 or less

1 hour after eating = 140 or less

2 hours eating = 120 or lower

3 hours after eating = back to the level of fasting

of course, if this or any test shows a problem, it would be important to see a professional health to review and form a plan of action.

important caveat

As I mentioned, these tests can not replace the care of a doctor or health, but they were a way I could begin to find answers to health when I could find a doctor or get lab tests. These tests may be beneficial to help work with a doctor to find answers to health struggles.

Now there are also programs (such as FDN Self-Care ) that help patients who can not find a doctor or specialist in your field laboratory tests are developed, interpret the results and develop a action plan.